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Auto alternatives for the 21st centuryTue, 31 Mar 2015 14:25:22 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.23-Series Plug-in Hybrid Is First Of Many More To Comehttp://www.hybridcars.com/3-series-plug-in-hybrid-is-first-of-many-more-to-come/
http://www.hybridcars.com/3-series-plug-in-hybrid-is-first-of-many-more-to-come/#commentsMon, 01 Dec 2014 15:28:14 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=222354BMW says it will soon show its 3-Series plug-in hybrid as the first of its core brand models to receive the PHEV treatment. The 3-Series will be shown soon in Miramas, France, and utilizes lessons learned from BMW’s new i-Series which has created a flexible technology the automaker says can be “rapidly deployed” on cars […]

]]>BMW says it will soon show its 3-Series plug-in hybrid as the first of its core brand models to receive the PHEV treatment.

The 3-Series will be shown soon in Miramas, France, and utilizes lessons learned from BMW’s new i-Series which has created a flexible technology the automaker says can be “rapidly deployed” on cars with up to 62 miles all-electric range.

“The drive systems used in these future hybrid systems will offer combined outputs in excess of 500 kilowatts [670 horsepower],” says BMW in a statement. “Also, the capacity of the lithium-ion batteries – up to 20 kilowatt hours – will be greatly in excess of current hybrid systems. Coupled with an increased all-electric driving range of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles), this will make it possible to operate in locally emission-free pure-electric mode on virtually all day-to-day trips.”

Unless BMW intends to reduce the “buffer” of unused battery capacity to a thin sliver compared to present plug-in cars, the math of up to 62 miles range from only up to 20 kwh does not add up, so we shall see on this.

In any case, the automaker is following a similar announcement that Porsche made last year of hybridizing its cars. BMW says its eDrive tech is built in house ensuring quality while retaining profitability.

The automaker says touts its eDrive technology, and other i-Series technologies as the DNA for advancing plug-in hybrids.

“All BMW Group models benefit from BMW i,” said Herbert Diess, Member of the Board of Management BMW AG, Development. “The fundamental technology involved in battery cells, electric motors and the power electronics will be used in our upcoming plug-in hybrid models. When it comes to the electrification of the drivetrain, we are deliberately developing a wide-ranging expertise in order to offer our customers worldwide the ideal solution.”

Presently, the BMW ActiveHybrid3 non-plug-in hybrid is a questionable value, uses a thirstier inline-6, and delivers negligibly better mpg next to a non-hybrid 335i. But the new 3-Series plug-in will use a four-cylinder based on the TwinPower Turbo that’s been twice voted “International Engine of the Year.” It will merge power electronics and an electric motor with at least double the present 3-Series hybrid motor’s capacity, and developed with the i3 and i8 projects.

3-Series PHEV drive train.

But with all the push toward “highly electrified hybrids,” BMW is not saying it will only use batteries, but other tech including fuel cells are in the future, it says:

The route to sustainable mobility in the future will be a multitrack one. The already efficient combustion engines will be even more economical. All-electric vehicles like the BMW i3 are tailored to urban mobility requirements while plug-in hybrids are more appropriate for longer-distance journeys. Beyond this, in the long term electric mobility in conjunction with hydrogen fuel cell technology could also be a viable option.

BMW will also soon have a PHEV eDrive X5 along with other plug-in hybrids, and of these, BMW says they are “one key lever” to bring high performance vehicles well below 100 g / km CO2.

In other words, BMW says it does not want to water down the soup, and wants fun-to-drive factor not to be diminished

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/3-series-plug-in-hybrid-is-first-of-many-more-to-come/feed/0BMW Increasing i3 and i8 Availability In UShttp://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-increasing-i3-and-i8-availability-in-us/
http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-increasing-i3-and-i8-availability-in-us/#commentsFri, 03 Oct 2014 15:44:21 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=201138BMW’s new i-series is boosting BMW’s global image, and in the U.S. the automaker intends to boost availability. The company has sold 3,104 i3s from May-September in the U.S. this year, and the i8 sold nine when launched in August, 58 in September, and it is sold out at BMW dealers through to 2015 showing […]

]]>BMW’s new i-series is boosting BMW’s global image, and in the U.S. the automaker intends to boost availability.

The company has sold 3,104 i3s from May-September in the U.S. this year, and the i8 sold nine when launched in August, 58 in September, and it is sold out at BMW dealers through to 2015 showing just how low the initial allocation has been.

The i8 starts at $136,650 including shipping, and heavy U.S. demand is coaxing BMW to adjust its inventories over the coming months.

“We are looking at taking a few i3 slots and making i8s because they go down the same production line,” said Ian Robertson, the company’s board member for sales and marketing, “The wait times are too long, and we will adjust that and sell more i8s, but cautiously.”

Globally, BMW is selling around 100 i-Series cars per day, he said, and this about equals daily production.

To date BMW has globally sold 10,000 i3s and 280 i8s.

The carbon fiber reinforced plastic cars are doing much to burnish BMW’s image too, said Robertson.

Aluminum is still a lightweight material other automakers have introduced on some models or planning to introduce, but to onlookers BMW’s technological prowess appears far out and ahead, he said.

Both cars are assembled in Leipzig, Germany and worldwide there have been 130,000 test drives of the i-Series cars to date.

Rather, it’s the small urban commuter i3 that has a better chance of rising to Tesla’s still higher level in time. Even in a down month for plug-ins in September, BMW sold 1,022 i3s between the battery electric and range-extended versions. This placed it fourth among all plug-in cars last month.

Tesla’s designer may once have called the i3 an “Ikea” level of design, but the market is approving of the $42,300 BMW that does a lot of what a Nissan Leaf does, but with a different vibe, technological innovation, and style.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-increasing-i3-and-i8-availability-in-us/feed/0BMW Offers Smarter, Faster-Charging i Wallbox Prohttp://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-offers-smarter-faster-charging-i-wallbox-pro/
http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-offers-smarter-faster-charging-i-wallbox-pro/#commentsFri, 26 Sep 2014 15:02:17 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=197762With BMW’s new line of electric vehicles, the company is also offering a complete line of charging equipment to complement them. The BMW i Wallbox now comes in two variations: the already released Pure and the new Pro. Both deliver charging rates of up to 7.4 kilowatts, but the Pro can charge an i3 to […]

]]>With BMW’s new line of electric vehicles, the company is also offering a complete line of charging equipment to complement them.

The BMW i Wallbox now comes in two variations: the already released Pure and the new Pro. Both deliver charging rates of up to 7.4 kilowatts, but the Pro can charge an i3 to 80 percent capacity in less than three hours.

The Wallbox Pro gets a seven-inch color touchscreen to make monitoring much easier, and can display things like previous charging cycles, including for up to three different users to better keep track of usage. The Pro also has a proximity sensor that will activate it, and you apparently only need one hand to do it. The 11.5-foot cord exits through the top, which BMW says prevents contamination on the socket, and makes coiling unnecessary.

Software allows for the Wallbox Pro to customize exactly not only when it charges, but also from which sources. If the owner has, say, a solar-panel installation, the system can make sure it takes as much “home-generated electricity” as possible before pulling energy from the local grid. And it can be integrated into a smart-home system with up to eight non-charging “home functions” like lighting, heating, or the current temperature and future forecasts.

The Wallbox Pro is on sale in Europe now, but Americans will have to wait until later in the year.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-offers-smarter-faster-charging-i-wallbox-pro/feed/0BMW i DC Fast Chargers Launchedhttp://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-i-dc-fast-chargers-launched/
http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-i-dc-fast-chargers-launched/#commentsTue, 29 Jul 2014 04:05:40 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=173850BMW of North America launched its BMW i DC Fast Chargers which can charge the BMW i3 all-electric vehicle’s battery up to 80 percent in 30 minutes. The automaker unveiled this new charger at Plug-In 2014, a conference dedicated to discussing key issues for the long-term success of electric vehicles. The charger is a joint […]

]]>BMW of North America launched its BMW i DC Fast Chargers which can charge the BMW i3 all-electric vehicle’s battery up to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

The automaker unveiled this new charger at Plug-In 2014, a conference dedicated to discussing key issues for the long-term success of electric vehicles.

The charger is a joint development between BMW and Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, and BMW believes this BMW i DC Fast Chargers will change the face of public charging as the first compact and affordable DC Combo fast charger. The first BMW i DC Fast Charger will be on display at Plug-In 2014 on July 28 at the San Jose Convention Center.

BMW also announced its new ChargeNow DC Fast program in cooperation with NRG eVgo, in which BMW i3 drivers in California can enjoy no cost unlimited 30 minute DC fast charging, at NRG eVgo Freedom Station sites equipped with DC Combo Fast Charging, through 2015.

The BMW i DC Fast Charger

Half the size of a traditional electric vehicle DC charger – measuring 31”H x 19”W x 12”D and weighing approximately 100 pounds – BMW’s i DC Fast Chargers can be mounted on a wall, a first for electric vehicle DC fast chargers said the German company.

BMW said its i DC Fast Chargers will be priced at $6,548 for authorized BMW partners.

“This is a milestone in the development of the DC fast charging infrastructure. With more than five years of real world experience, we understand that a robust network of publicly available DC Combo Fast Chargers is a key part of the mobility of tomorrow,” said Robert Healey, EV infrastructure manager at BMW of North America. “BMW is offering the BMW i DC Fast Charger at an appealing price point, and more manageable size, to make the convenience of DC fast charging more accessible for BMW i3 owners.”

BMW explained the 24 kilowatt DC Fast Charger feeds the current directly to the vehicle’s battery, resulting in a more efficient and faster charge. BMW i DC Fast Chargers use the SAE Combo 1 connector, the North American automotive industry standard for fast charging; feature a rugged aluminum IP54 enclosure; meet NEMA 3 requirements; and are designed to perform in extreme weather conditions, from -40°F to 185°F. Additionally, BMW said the BMW i DC Fast Charger is ChargePoint network-enabled, allowing electric vehicle drivers with the SAE Combo 1 inlet to access the BMW i DC Fast Charger using a ChargePoint or ChargeNow card. Major automakers including BMW, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Daimler, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche have committed to adopting the SAE Combo 1 inlet for DC charging.

The company added its BMW i DC Fast Chargers will be available for BMW i Centers across the U.S. beginning in August.

ChargeNow DC Fast for BMW i3 Drivers

With the goal of making DC fast charging more accessible and increasing the adoption of electric vehicles, BMW said it will, in cooperation with NRG eVgo, offer no cost charging to BMW i3 drivers at participating eVgo Freedom Station sites equipped with DC Combo Fast Charging in California through 2015.

In order to receive the full benefits of the program, BMW said i3 drivers must use the ChargeNow card, provided with their BMW i3, to charge the vehicle at least once by December 31, 2014, at a participating eVgo Freedom Station. By doing so, BMW i3 drivers will enjoy continued access to no cost DC charging sessions through the end of 2015. Of course, eligible BMW i3 vehicles must be equipped with the DC Fast Charging option (SAE).

“We’re confident the rapidly-expanding NRG eVgo DC Fast Charging network will provide significant benefits to BMW i3 drivers in California,” continued Mr. Healey. “With the cooperation between ChargePoint and NRG eVgo, ChargeNow DC Fast brings us closer to the reality of one card, one account public charging network interoperability.”

eVgo said it will deploy a minimum of 100 BMW i3 compatible DC Fast Chargers across California to support the ChargeNow DC Fast Program.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-i-dc-fast-chargers-launched/feed/0Top 10 Green Cars We’re Looking Forward to in 2014http://www.hybridcars.com/top-10-green-cars-were-looking-forward-to-in-2014/
http://www.hybridcars.com/top-10-green-cars-were-looking-forward-to-in-2014/#commentsFri, 27 Dec 2013 07:56:45 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=107354The U.S. alternative-energy passenger vehicle market has been growing steadily since the first couple of hybrids were launched in 1999 and for 2014 things are really heating up. While petroleum remains by far America’s motive power of choice, the move away from pure gasoline is well underway, and the alternative vehicle count will increase by […]

The U.S. alternative-energy passenger vehicle market has been growing steadily since the first couple of hybrids were launched in 1999 and for 2014 things are really heating up.

While petroleum remains by far America’s motive power of choice, the move away from pure gasoline is well underway, and the alternative vehicle count will increase by about one-third in the next 12 months or so.

Presently we track just over 75 hybrid, plug-in, CNG and clean diesel vehicles on the HybridCars.com monthly sales Dashboard and for 2014 we should see around 25 or so added to the roster.

Some will be niche sellers, some will be limited-market, but others will be 50-state available, including a Nissan hybrid model which is the first of more believed to be on the way from the Japanese automaker after a couple year hiatus from hybrids.

The hybrid leader, Toyota, has no new models pending for 2014, but yesterday Toyota said we can expect a new Prius Liftback and plug-in Prius for 2015.

An honorable mention we were hard pressed not to list is the Kia Soul EV, which its maker promises will deliver decent 120-mile range and small-SUV utility and it’s to be a limited-market seller launching in 2014.

Choosing a “Top 10” from over a couple dozen new 2014 models pending was challenging. Besides our selections, other vehicles may arguably have been deserving, but we gave the nod to ones that stand to have an outsized impact.

And really, “we’re looking forward to” every new alternative-tech vehicle, whether it makes the list or not, as each stands to have some positive effect, whether large or small.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/top-10-green-cars-were-looking-forward-to-in-2014/feed/0BMW to Showcase ConnectedDrive and i3 at 2014 CEShttp://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-to-showcase-connecteddrive-and-i3-at-2014-ces/
http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-to-showcase-connecteddrive-and-i3-at-2014-ces/#commentsTue, 24 Dec 2013 16:04:08 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=106666The BMW Group will be present at the upcoming 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, showcasing BMW ConnectedDrive and announcing its future plans for highly automated driving. BMW will also feature its all-electric BMW i3. The German brand explained BMW ConnectedDrive focuses on the link between the driver, vehicle and […]

]]>The BMW Group will be present at the upcoming 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, showcasing BMW ConnectedDrive and announcing its future plans for highly automated driving.

BMW will also feature its all-electric BMW i3.

The German brand explained BMW ConnectedDrive focuses on the link between the driver, vehicle and outside world through the use of an expanding range of assistance systems, as well as infotainment and entertainment features. BMW ConnectedDrive Driver Assistance systems include navigation and traffic assistance and concierge services.

Through the BMW i Remote app, drivers can share information with the vehicle at any time via their smartphone, including the amount of charge left on a BMW vehicle. The Apps for Automotive technology by BMW enables drivers to use smartphone applications to connect with the car and provides the opportunity to dictate and send text messages via voice or text.

The BMW Group also said it will reveal details of its current research and development project for highly automated driving, which is designed to increase safety, comfort and efficiency for the driver and traffic system.

Will you be in Vegas early January? Along with the exhibits at BMW’s stand, test drives of the BMW i3 will be offered, taking place between Tuesday, January 7 and Friday, January 10 at Silver Lot 3.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-to-showcase-connecteddrive-and-i3-at-2014-ces/feed/0BMW Goes To Washington With i3http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-goes-to-washington-with-i3/
http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-goes-to-washington-with-i3/#commentsFri, 08 Nov 2013 16:36:54 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=91233Government policy is helping push alternative energy and that policy is generated at the nation’s capitol, so that’s where BMW hosted an event to discus “Shaping the future of Sustainable Mobility” on Wednesday. At the gathering were a panel of experts who spoke, including Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate […]

]]>Government policy is helping push alternative energy and that policy is generated at the nation’s capitol, so that’s where BMW hosted an event to discus “Shaping the future of Sustainable Mobility” on Wednesday.

At the gathering were a panel of experts who spoke, including Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, The White House; Senator Maria Cantwell, (D-WA); and Mitchell Moss, Director, Rudin Center for Transportation and Henry Hart Rice Professor of Urban Policy, NYU.

The BMW i3 is the first of the German maker’s built from the ground-up i-series EVs and BMW brought it along to help planners and other influencers see its vision for a sustainable future.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-goes-to-washington-with-i3/feed/0BMW i3 Now Publicly Available In UKhttp://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-i3-now-publicly-available-in-uk/
http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-i3-now-publicly-available-in-uk/#commentsThu, 07 Nov 2013 05:03:45 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=90090The BMW i3 was officially launched yesterday to the general public in the UK. BMW stated the i3 is the world’s first premium car designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system. According to the Bavarian company, the use of lightweight CFRP for the passenger cell compensates for the extra […]

]]>The BMW i3 was officially launched yesterday to the general public in the UK.

BMW stated the i3 is the world’s first premium car designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system.

According to the Bavarian company, the use of lightweight CFRP for the passenger cell compensates for the extra weight of the battery, while the low, central location of the battery pack enhances the car’s agility thanks to perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity.

The electric motor generates an output of 170 horsepower, allowing the BMW i3 to sprint from zero to 37 mph in 3.7 seconds and zero to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds. In the UK, the lithium-ion battery is rated for a range of 80–100 miles in everyday driving. Per BMW, this range rises by approximately 15 percent in ECO PRO mode and by the same again in ECO PRO+ mode.

For customers particularly conscious of ‘range anxiety’, the BMW i3 is available with a range extender engine, powering a generator to maintain the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level while on the move. This is performed by a 650cc two-cylinder four-stroke gasoline engine developing 34 horsepower and mounted immediately next to the electric motor above the rear axle.

BMW explained the range extender increases the car’s maximum range in day-to-day driving to around 180 miles on one tank of fuel. In the UK, the BMW i3 Range Extender costs £28,830 after deduction of UK’s £5,000 OLEV Government grant.

Both BMW i3 models include, in the UK, a three-year, unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 100,000 mile battery warranty. The battery is also included in the price of the car negating a separate lease charge for battery, as is the case for some other electric vehicles in Europe.

BMW said the i3 is available in the UK with four different interior: Standard, Loft, Lodge and Suite. These allow customers to change the look and feel of the interior. All choices feature sustainable materials such as sustainably sourced wood, natural fibers and naturally tanned leather.

The price for the BMW i3, after deduction of UK’s £5,000 OLEV Government grant, starts at £25,680 and £28,830 for the Range Extender. However, BMW explained leasing is expected to be favored by customers and the monthly rates start at £369 for a 36 month contract and rising to £480 for an i3 Range Extender Suite.

The BMW i3 Range Extender is rated at 470.8 imperial mpg on the combined European cycle.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/bmw-i3-now-publicly-available-in-uk/feed/0CleanCharge And ChargeNow Demonstrate Charging Network Roaminghttp://www.hybridcars.com/cleancharge-and-chargenow-demonstrate-charging-network-roaming/
http://www.hybridcars.com/cleancharge-and-chargenow-demonstrate-charging-network-roaming/#commentsThu, 31 Oct 2013 05:49:50 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=86753BMW and CleanCharge want people to understand an electric car is not limited to be driven only its own country, but can be charged across provider lines and national borders. This was demonstrated yesterday, October 29, by the BMW Group and the Danish charging infrastructure operator CleanCharge in the course of a showcase event taking […]

]]>BMW and CleanCharge want people to understand an electric car is not limited to be driven only its own country, but can be charged across provider lines and national borders.

This was demonstrated yesterday, October 29, by the BMW Group and the Danish charging infrastructure operator CleanCharge in the course of a showcase event taking place in Denmark’s capital Copenhagen.

The initiation of the charging session carried out at a Danish charging station via ChargeNow, the public charging service offered by BMW i, was made possible through Hubject GmbH’s eRoaming platform, which went live in May 2013. The demonstration showed there is a turnkey solution for a Europe-wide network of charging infrastructures.

The electric car charged during the showcase event was the new BMW i3, which will be launched at the end of this year.

Nils Dullum, the CEO of CleanCharge, supports the implementation of cross-provider charging in Scandinavia and declared “on behalf of EV users we need to get all market partners in Europe excited about convenient cross-provider and cross-border charging. As part of this initiative CleanCharge supports the eRoaming-based interconnection of charging stations and a free development of the market.”

The partners in yesterday’s demonstration believe a common marketplace will enable users in the future to charge their vehicles at all intercharge-compatible charging stations throughout Europe under a single contract. The only requirement is that their EV electricity supplier be connected to Hubject’s eRoaming system, which already today connects the charging stations of many different infrastructure providers.

Under the eRoaming system charging sessions can be initiated and terminated conveniently by means of the dedicated intercharge app, which is available for free. The user only needs to scan the QR code which is integrated into the intercharge symbol using the app’s scanning functionality and enter the contract ID provided by the EV electricity supplier.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/cleancharge-and-chargenow-demonstrate-charging-network-roaming/feed/0Over 24 Green Vehicles Slated For The LA Showhttp://www.hybridcars.com/over-24-green-vehicles-slated-for-the-la-show/
http://www.hybridcars.com/over-24-green-vehicles-slated-for-the-la-show/#commentsThu, 10 Oct 2013 04:25:43 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=78841A month before the event, the Los Angeles Auto Show announced a strong showing for green vehicles. The show’s organizers confirmed that LA will host 22 world debuts, making for a total of 56 vehicle debuts overall, to be unveiled in front of a global audience, November 19, 20 and 21, 2013. Fuel and emission […]

]]>A month before the event, the Los Angeles Auto Show announced a strong showing for green vehicles.

The show’s organizers confirmed that LA will host 22 world debuts, making for a total of 56 vehicle debuts overall, to be unveiled in front of a global audience, November 19, 20 and 21, 2013.

Fuel and emission saving vehicles will have a special importance. More than two-dozen green vehicles will be featured, including models from Acura, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen, ranging from alternative fuel models to brand new plug-ins.

Nov. 19 will focus specifically on technology announcements held in the Connected Car Expo area of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

In addition to the roster of global premieres, a variety of North American debuts will be unveiled in Los Angeles, including the 4 Series Hybrid, i8 and i3 from BMW.

U.S. auto show introductions will also include the Jaguar C-X17 and three vehicles from Volkswagen, including the e-Golf.

“As one of the world’s largest media hubs and car buying markets, Los Angeles offers a unique combination of press exposure and valuable consumer contact,” said LA Auto Show President, Lisa Kaz. “The LA Auto Show’s consistent growth and commitment to remaining on the forefront of automotive technology, green innovation and automotive design will certainly be noticed with 2013′s roster of major debuts.”